LAS CRUCES - U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce announced Monday he will run for governor of his home state of New Mexico in 2018, and not seek reelection to the 2nd Congressional District representing southern New Mexico.

Pearce, a member of the staunchly conservative House Freedom Caucus, was first elected to Congress in 2002 and served until 2008 when he ran unsuccessfully for Senate. He regained his congressional seat in 2010, defeating Democrat Harry Teague, and has been in office since.

Pearce told the Sun-News his decision had been a very personal one, born of his love for the state and a growing unease with the conditions that were sending New Mexicans elsewhere to seek a better life.

"When I look and see the direction we are going, we are at the bottom of the list and it breaks my heart," Pearce said. "This does not have to be our future. Let's pull together, come together across party lines. Whatever divides us, let's find a common vision and work toward that. If we find the things we agree on instead of focusing on the things we disagree on, we can build a better future."

He is the second member of the state's congressional delegation planning to relinquish their office in Washington, D.C. in a bid to replace two-term Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, who is prevented from seeking reelection due to term limits. U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, has announced her candidacy.

Three other Democrats have also announced plans to run for governor. On Wednesday, State Sen. Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces threw his hat into the race. Former media executive Jeff Apodaca of Albuquerque and alcohol-prevention teacher Peter DeBenedittis of Santa Fe are also seeking the office.

Pearce, who turns 70 in August, was raised in Hobbs where he and his wife, Cynthia, owned and operated an oilfield service company. He attended public schools in New Mexico and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from New Mexico State University. He went on to earn an MBA from Eastern New Mexico State University.

In this Feb. 11, 2014, photo. House Financial Services Committee member Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., listens on Capitol Hill in Washington. New Mexico's only Republican in its congressional delegation has not scheduled any traditional town hall meetings amid angry scenes nationally. Pearce is asking constituents to sign up for a "telephone town hall" on Wednesday, Feb. 15, as activists vow to attend GOP congressmen's town halls across the country. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)(Photo: Cliff Owen/The Associated Press)

Pearce served as a combat pilot during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Air Medals as well as seven other military medals and four exceptional service awards. He ended his service with the rank of captain.

He currently serves on the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Natural Resources. He is chairman emeritus of the Congressional Western Caucus.

Pearce said his ability to work across party lines will help him break a deadlock in Santa Fe, where a Democrat-led legislature has been at odds with the Republican governor for years.

"I work very well with people who disagree with me," Pearce said. "You can see my town halls, my work in congress ... I don't try to just cram my principles in. I go to the Democrats."

He pointed to work with Rep. Maxine Waters, a California Democrat on housing issues and Texas Democrat Rep. Beto O'Rourke, with whom he said he has a good relationship despite disagreeing on immigration issues.

"We share such a common demographic we decided to find bills we could work on," Pearce said. "People who have a different viewpoint, a different philosophy, I refuse to look at them with contempt and that's how I keep partnerships. That's something I practiced and will continue to work at."

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About a million more trips were made to New Mexico in 2016 than the previous year, breaking another tourism record for the state, Gov. Susana Martinez announced Wednesday.
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The issues

Combating poverty and shoring up the state's economy would be his first priority, he said. By addressing those issues, it would alleviate much of the crime that has led to people feeling unsafe in the state, he said.

"The big view is working on keeping jobs here, bringing jobs back and diversifying the economy, fixing education and getting jobs right out among the poor — attacking poverty at it's roots," Pearce said.

On New Mexico's education system, Pearce said it is not necessary to tap into the state's permanent fund. The problems with the state's educational system lie not in funding, but in management, he said.

"I think our teachers are highly qualified," Pearce said. "The system seems to drive them out. They choose not to teach in New Mexico. Let's do what we can without asking the taxpayer to pay more. Fix the problems first and then assess (whether) we need more money."

The state needs to change the way it deals with businesses as well, he said.

"We make it so hard for them they choose not to come here," Pearce said. "Yes, we want to protect our water, protect our soil, our air. But we want jobs. Let's find the balance point between those."

The state should dedicate itself to creating a high-tech environment to keep students in-state after graduation, he said. With some effort, New Mexico could leverage the assets of our national laboratories to develop industry similar to North Carolina's research triangle or what has sprung up around Rice University in Houston.

More consideration should be given to New Mexico companies bidding for work through the national laboratories, he said.

"Local high-tech businesses have been starved out" by the federal bidding process, he said.

Combating cybercrime is also an opportune field for growth in developing protective software and hardware.

"The entire world is looking for solutions," Pearce said. "Let New Mexico be a center point for that."

The state's rural areas are also hurting, and industries such as forest thinning, rare-earth mining and value-added food production should be considered, he said. He would call for a pilot forest-thinning project to ease wildfire dangers while helping restore the state's aquifers, he said. Establishing a "center for excellence" on water issues within the state is also a possibility he favors.

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US Representative Steve Pearce, takes a question from Jean Roach, a part time Las Crucen about President Trumps comments on the press and freedom of the press, at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, Saturday, March 18, 2017. The town hall had been called for by Indivisible and other groups in response to what they saw as the lack of concern on the part of Pearce to his constitute in the 2nd congressional district. Josh Bachman/Sun-News

David Morin, boos in disapproval of US Representative Steve Pearce answer to a question about Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument, Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the town hall held at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. Josh Bachman/Sun-News

US Representative Steve Pearce, looks on as Tony Martinez with the group Indivisible introduces Pearce to the constituents that gathered at the town hall meeting held at the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, Saturday, March 18, 2017. The town hall meeting had been called for by Indivisible and other groups in response to what they saw as the lack of concern on the part of Pearce to his constitute in the 2nd congressional district. Josh Bachman/Sun-News

Tony Martinez with Indivisible a group that was calling for US Representative Steve Pearce to hold a town hall in Las Cruces, introduces Pearce before the start of the town hall held at the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, Saturday, March 18, 2017. Josh Bachman/Sun-News

Richard DeMaria, asked US Representative Steve Pearce a question about the countries debt and about tax rates for the wealthy, Saturday, March 18, 2017, at a town hall meeting for Pearce that took place in the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. Josh Bachman/Sun-News

As many as 500 people filled the Ventanas room at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, during US Representative Steve Pearce's town hall meeting, the room was filled with both supporters of Pearce and detractors, the town hall took about two and half hours, with some detractors not satisfied with Pearce's answers to many of the questions asked by constituents. Josh Bachman/Sun-News

Linda Dowless, listens to US Representative Steve Pearce answer her question about term limits in congress, Saturday, March 18, 2017, during a town hall meeting with Pearce at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. Josh Bachman/Sun-News

Cristan Biadismond,left, invited US Representative Steve Pearce to meet with some of her patients who would be effected by the building of the wall. Pearce said his staff would try and set something up. Saturday March 18, 2017, at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. Josh Bachman/Sun-News

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Water use in an arid state will remain an issue as the population grows and the state should look closely at what has been done in Israel, a similar climate, that allows that country to produce nearly 90 percent of it's food whereas New Mexico produces only about 3 percent of it's own food, he said.

"Let's refine the oil products. Let's make things out of the copper we mine and let's add value to the food stream," Pearce said. "Those will be higher-paying jobs. I see ways we can increase the economy. We've just got to go one piece of the economy at a time and improve the jobs in it."

New Mexico currently has a medicinal marijuana program an Pearce said he supports "looking more closely" at medical use of the drug and has been moved by patients who share stories of finding relief from using cannabis. He said he is watching Colorado's move into legalizing recreational use and says "there are questions" about whether New Mexico should do the same. During trips to Colorado, he said he has observed that "some people can handle recreational drugs like (they handle) alcohol."

Pearce's 12 years in Washington, D.C. have resulted in relationships with federal officials that will help him in dealing with issues such healthcare and continuing federal support for the state's military bases, he said.

Pearce openly supported the presidential campaign of Donald Trump, but the two haven't always seen eye-to-eye.

Pearce rejected Trump's push to build a border wall as impractical and ineffective.

"We all agree on security," he said. "Just don't put money into something that won't work," he said.

He said he opposes the idea of "sanctuary cities," or allowing municipalities to ignore federal law in any instance. But, he said, a guest worker program should be put in place to allow legal status for laborers without giving blanket amnesty to those who are in the country illegally.

Pearce has voted for the Republican plan to overhaul President Barack Obama's health care law, while stating the second House healthcare bill still needs work.

"The healthcare we have in our country right now is in the process of failing," Pearce said. "Some say it's failing slowly, some say it's failing fast. I think we need to repair it."

Pearce said he will watch for flexibility in any proposed changes because each state has different needs. He said he would be able to call on federal officials to ensure New Mexicans are not harmed under any new systems.

US Representative Steve Pearce, takes a question from Jean Roach, a part time Las Crucen about President Trumps comments on the press and freedom of the press, at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, Saturday, March 18, 2017. The town hall had been called for by Indivisible and other groups in response to what they saw as the lack of concern on the part of Pearce to his constitute in the 2nd congressional district.(Photo: Josh Bachman/Sun-News)

U.S. Congressional District

Four Democrats have already announced their intentions to enter the race for the 2nd Congressional District seat being vacated by Pearce.

David Baake, a Harvard Law School graduate who previously worked for the Natural Resources Defense Council; Tony Martinez, head of the local Indivisible public advocacy group; Ronald Fitzherbert, a Las Cruces resident who has been involved in several community groups; and Madeleine Hildebrandt, a Coast Guard veteran and college history instructor from Socorro, are all seeking the seat.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee already has placed Pearce's congressional district on a list of 79 Republican seats it would target in 2018.

"We'll run against the Republican agenda in the House," New Mexico Democratic Party Chairman Richard Ellenberg said. "If they (Republican candidates) want to disown it, fine."

No Republican has announced plans to run for the district, which includes conservative strongholds in the oil-rich Permian Basin close to Texas, while its largest city — Las Cruces — leans toward Democrats.

The race in New Mexico’s 1st District is even more crowded, with eight Democrats currently vying for the seat being vacated by Lujan-Grisham.